Lake Brantley cruises past Oviedo

Varsity football - Week 7 - Lake Brantley 41, Oviedo 13

OVIEDO -- Lake Brantley started the year slowly, but the Patriots certainly seemed to have hit full stride Friday night as they ran all over Oviedo 41-13.

The Patriots (5-2, 3-0 in Class 6A, District 2) lost their first two games of the year and seemed to be struggling with the loss of 18 starters from last year.

A quick start is a trademark of a team hitting the field ready to play, and once again the Patriots, ranked ninth in the Sentinel Super 16, scored before fans had a chance to find a seat.

"We're a young team, but they're learning how to come in to the game already focused," Patriots Coach George Clayton said.

After a return of a short kickoff set the Patriots up at the Lions' 46-yard line, they needed just five plays to reach the end zone. Quarterback Bryce Bergeron almost did it on the second play after a convincing fake to star running back Antonio Miles misled the defense. An ankle tackle by Lions linebacker Justin Jones brought Bergeron down at the 10.

Another convincing Bergeron fake to Miles left a large hole for the quarterback to stroll into the end zone from 4 yards out.

"He's becoming an accomplished option quarterback," Clayton said. "He's come a long way this year and grown."

The Patriots' second "drive" only took one play to hit paydirt as Miles raced 68 yards for six points.

Defensive back Chris Thole essentially sealed the game for the Patriots with his first of two interceptions of Lions quarterback Blake Bortles at midfield, returning this one to the 1-yard line.